Hosta Pizzazz

Hosta 'Pizzazz' is a variety with a rebellious look and intense contrasts! It stands out from other hostas with a clump of unique leaves that are rough, pleated cups with pinched tips. They are a powdery blue, offering a beautiful contrast with their lime-green margins that sometimes deviate towards the heart of the leaves. The colours lighten in summer, turning blue-green and cream. With good thickness, they are highly resistant to slug attacks. Dense clusters of white bells emerge from its clumps from July to August. This variety prefers a shaded position and to be planted in damp, well-drained, and rich soil. It is perfect in association with other woodland perennials or to form a verdant border along a shaded path.

Hosta 'Pizzazz' is a deciduous perennial which is very hardy, producing its leafy clump from spring onwards. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. The plant has medium growth, forming a somewhat disorderly cushion reaching 40 cm (16in) in height and 100 cm (39in) in width. It is a long-lived plant with thick, highly puckered, cordate leaves that are as wide as plates, about 19 cm (8in) high and 13 cm (5in) wide, with well-undulated margins and strongly acuminate tips. Its lamina is pleated by 13 pairs of veins. Flower stems, reaching a height of about 50-75 cm (20-30in), emerge from the centre of its foliage, bearing clusters of bell-shaped flowers which have little fragrance. 

Hostas like damp, well-drained, and rich soils, and they dislike drought and scorching exposure to the sun. A location exposed to afternoon sunlight should be avoided as it can burn the leaves of these perennials. In hotter and drier regions, provide a thick mulch. Hostas, with their generous and decorative foliage, are perfect as groundcover, in borders, or in partially shaded or shaded flower beds, where other plants struggle to grow. They like sheltered and damp locations such as woodlands. Varieties with blue and green foliage tolerate dense shade the best. Sun tends to turn blue colours green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade where their colour transforms and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, exposure to morning sunlight allows optimal development of these perennials and also makes them more floriferous. Gastropods (slugs and snails) are particularly fond of these fleshy perennials, so contemporary hybridisations aim to create hostas that are increasingly resistant to their attacks. This variety is slug resistant.

Combine them in mixed groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seals, and other low-growing groundcover perennials such as creeping bugles, geraniums, and lamiums. All of them are very effective as slug repellents. The silver Brunnera macrophylla, familiar to woodland areas, makes an excellent companion. Also consider Heucheras with their wonderful range of colours, or the delicate flowers of Epimediums. The golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange tones. Hostas also thrive in pots that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas complement spring bulbs, appearing in late spring to cover faded plants with their generous foliage! Plant them around a pond with persicarias, carex, and astilbes. The blue-toned leaves harmonise perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples.

Did you know: Most of the species spread in our gardens have been introduced from Japan. Hostas, which are edible, are called urui in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.